41-year-old self-employed Zabbar resident Justin Vella has been charged in connection with last Sunday's hit-and-run incident in Marsa.

The 12 charges include causing grievous bodily harm to a pedestrian, failing to stop and render aid, fleeing the scene of a crime, driving recklessly well above the legal speed limit, and disregarding traffic regulations.

Furthermore, he is accused of driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and refusing to submit to mandatory testing by police.

Police were alerted that on 20 September at around 10pm, a pedestrian required urgent medical assistance in Triq Dicembru Tlettax, Marsa. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the victim suffering from injuries after being struck by a car whose driver had fled immediately after the impact.

The victim was treated on site by a medical team before being rushed to Mater Dei Hospital by ambulance, where doctors certified his injuries as grievous.

According to eyewitnesses, a BMW struck a pedestrian as he drove through a red light, causing damage that left the vehicle's side mirror at the scene. Immediately after the collision, the driver performed a U-turn and briefly stopped.

Witnesses reported seeing a shirtless, tattooed man step out of the vehicle, who made no attempt to check on the injured pedestrian or render assistance before driving away.

As police officers were actively securing the scene and collecting evidence, the suspect sped past the site a second time.

Officers chased the vehicle, in which they temporarily lost sight during the pursuit. Further investigations led them to locate the BMW parked in Marsascala, where the suspect was subsequently apprehended.

During his arrest and subsequent police interrogation, the suspect remained entirely uncooperative. The court heard that this is not his first clash with the law, as he is currently bound by an active suspended sentence.

Vella entered a not guilty plea.

The defence requested for bail, with the prosecution strongly objecting to, citing the reckless and repetitive nature of the accused's behaviour, specifically highlighting his act of speeding past the active crime scene while police were gathering evidence.

Furthermore, prosecutors emphasised the risk of tampering with evidence, as key civilian witnesses and the victim have yet to give their testimony in court.

The defence maintained that extensive footage capturing the entire sequence of events has been preserved and eyewitnesses at the scene have already identified the driver to the police.

Hence, the defence emphasised that if bail were not granted, nothing will change in the coming weeks.

Duty Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech presided over the arraignment.

Inspector Clive Abela prosecuted, while lawyers Amadeus Cachia and Ishmael Psaila appeared for the defence.

Lawyer Michele Cardinali appeared as parte civile.